Auburn-area merchant exonerated of felony arson charges

BAY CITY — An Auburn-area man is no longer facing criminal charges for allegedly torching his Monitor Township market.

Robert R. Burt, 48, had been charged with felony counts of arson of real property and arson of insured property. The charges stem from accusations that Burt set fire to Boone’s Corner Store, 1002 E. Midland, on the evening of Aug. 7, 2006.

The case against him was dismissed on motion of the Bay County Prosecutor’s Office, with Bay County District Judge Dawn A. Klida signing the order Friday.

“Mr. Burt was ecstatic and now can he can move forward with his life,” said Burt’s attorney, Jason P. Gower. “On behalf of my client and his family we wish to thank and praise the prosecutor’s office for taking a second look at the evidence, and for using the tools we in the criminal justice system have at our disposal to seek the truth in cases.

“Robert at all times, from the very beginning of this case, maintained his innocence,” Gower added. “From the time I convinced then-Judge (Craig) Alston to release him on his own personal recognizance he directed me to do everything in my power to convince the authorities he was innocent of these charges.”

Gower noted Burt passed a polygraph test during the course of the investigation.